But I’m okay.
It’s been almost 48 hours since it happened and I’ve been reflecting a lot since. I was really lucky. I walked away from the accident and have relatively minor injuries compared to what could have happened.
In short, I battled with a semi on the highway and put up a pretty good fight. My car took a rough beating (haven’t heard if it’s a write off yet – it’s 50/50 at this point) but the most important thing is that I walked away.
This was the scariest thing that’s ever happened to me. This was also a giant slap in the face.
Over the last couple months, I’ve been in a bit of a creative slump. I’ve let life pass me by and focused on events happening in the future, as opposed to the present moment. I’ve made lots of plans but haven’t taken much action.
And then boom. Car crash.
Any alternate scenario that I play in my mind ends worse than the actual outcome. What if the semi had a load and couldn’t stop? What if there had been someone behind me that couldn’t have stopped? I honestly thought, in those five crazy seconds, that I was done.
Yes, I am injured. But what’s knee and back and arm pain when life is on the line?
I’m amazed at how five seconds can have such a great effect. Since then, I’ve become clear on what I want in life. The answer is simple:
I want my life to be awesome. All. Of. The. Time.
I want to spend time doing things that I love and in the company of great people. I want a life full of action, making the world a better and brighter place. As Danielle LaPorte says, I want to do more and dream less.
I have a week off of work. Teaching dance becomes hard when all I can do is walk slowly and sit for brief intervals, but I plan to make maximum use of this time, starting with the things that have been on the bottom of my to-do list for months:
I’ll edit and post a couple videos here that I already have the footage for. I’ll research good video editing programs for PCs (… any recommendations?). I’ll finally get my taxes done. I’ll read and watch a few movies. I’ll make some solid decisions about the 2013-14 Entrelacement season. And I will rest and reflect.
Because all I’ve got is one life. If I don’t make the most out of it now, there might not be a next time.
PS- A few shout outs. Sending SO MUCH love to:
- The lady who pulled over and gave me a big hug right after it happened. You are my hero.
- The two witness guys who calmed me down before my mom got there. Thank you.
- TD insurance guy for being the BEST EVER on the phone. Your humour was much appreciated.
- All of the dance teachers that have subbed my classes on such short notice. You all rock my world.
- And of course my family and super-stellar boyfriend for being there when I cried and spaced out a bunch of times. I’m so grateful. ♥